Heartland Film Festival FAQs

A 11-day celebration of independent film, the annual Heartland Film Festival gives its moviegoers access to more than 100 visiting independent filmmakers from all over the world, right in the heart of the Midwest. Heartland showcases more than 130 entertaining movies that do more than just entertain over 10 days of red carpet premieres and events, parties and hundreds of film screenings across Indianapolis. The 25th annual Heartland Film Festival will take place Oct. 20-30, 2016.

The Heartland Film Festival has awarded $2.9 million to independent filmmakers from all over the world–more than any other festival in the United States–since its inception in 1991.

We Value What Filmmakers Value: Highest possible standard of exhibition. Time to interact with other filmmakers, time to interact with audiences during the Festival and after screenings, and marketing/promotional support during the Festival and beyond.

Academy Award qualification: The Heartland Film Festival has earned the special designation of being a qualifying festival for the Annual Academy Awards® within the Short Films category. This means that the winner of the Grand Prize for Best Narrative Short Film will qualify for consideration in the Short Films category of the Annual Academy Awards® without the standard theatrical run, provided the film otherwise complies with the Academy rules.

Hospitality: Volunteers meet filmmakers at the airport and take them to the host where the Festival hospitality suite is staffed with knowledgeable volunteers to greet filmmakers and go over orientation. Festival staff goes out of their way to introduce themselves to filmmakers, talk to them in all venues. Ultimately we want filmmakers to feel like rock stars with badges that let sponsors and volunteers and attendees know who they are, introductions to sponsors, nice accommodations, punctual ground transportation, etc.

We Actually Watch Your Movies: When a film is submitted to the Heartland Film Festival, we guarantee that it will be seen–in its entirety–by at least three separate individuals (jury members, staff and/or interns). Each film is scored and is given feedback based on standard judging criteria, and that feedback is available to filmmakers upon request.

Full Exhibition Control & Quality: With primary screening locations at AMC Theatres, our Festival screenings give indie films and filmmakers the blockbuster treatment. We exhibit off the most reliable and high-quality formats, hire our own projection staff, and tie in directly to AMC's state-of-the-art systems. Every Festival we hear that the films we showcase have never looked better on the big screen – it's this level of control and quality that ensures that the work of our filmmakers looks and sounds exactly as it was intended.

High School Film Competition: In its sixth year, the High School Film Competition honors the best among the next generation of filmmakers from around the world. For winners of the High School Film Competition, the prize money and Festival experience serves as inspiration to follow their passion into the professional world of filmmaking. The top winner receives a $3,000 cash prize, accommodations, travel, a filmmaker badge and more.

For Festival Award winners (essentially nominees in each category) we offer roundtrip economy class airfare for a single person, director or producer, to attend, lodging for up to five nights, ground transportation to and from airport, hotel, and venues, Filmmaker Badge, special event tickets. Glitzy Awards Ceremony designed to highlight the filmmakers and their films, giving out Grand Prizes while celebrating and spotlighting all of the Festival Award winners.

For Official Selection filmmakers we offer discounted hotel rates, ground transportation to and from airport, hotel, and venues, Filmmaker Badge, special event tickets at discounted rate or free depending on scheduling. For select Official Selection filmmakers, if our budget allows, we will offer travel/airfare stipends and/or lodging at our host hotel.

We have a great relationship with ShortsHD, the premiere cable/satellite short film network who also produces and distributes the Academy Award nominated Oscar shorts programs. Beyond distribution deals for short film filmmakers, a festival video recap and interviews have been featured on the ShortsHD network over the years.

The Heartland Film Festival has awarded $2.9 million to independent filmmakers from all over the world–more than any other festival in the United States–since its inception in 1991.

These cash prizes inspire and assist filmmakers to push their craft, pay off debts and to pursue their next projects. For winners of the High School Film Competition, the prize money and Festival experience serves as inspiration to follow their passion into the professional world of filmmaking.

During the 2016 Heartland Film Festival, one Grand Prize winner in each category will be announced. The prizes are as follows:

Year after year we tell filmmakers that they’re now part of the Heartland Family, and it’s true. We continue to support Heartland Film Festival films throughout their festival runs, road to distribution, theatrical or VOD releases and more (website, social media and 18,000+ email list). As a year-round organization, we have the Heartland Film Roadshow program that showcases Festival films all throughout the year. We consistently bring back filmmakers for encore screenings, mini festivals, master classes and more.

Filmmaker Praise

“I really loved the weekend experience of being with so many incredible filmmakers over a few days. It was an experience I've only had at a few festivals and I felt much closer to my fellow filmmakers at Heartland than I usually do at other festivals. The fact that you offered flight, transportation and lodging was huge and greatly contributed to my ability to attend.”

“It felt like we were part of a family. It was like summer camp; we can't wait to go back again and meet up with all the other filmmakers and see what they come up with next.”

“It was important to me to attend as I'd never been before and heard great things. Your reputation is well deserved. I'm glad I got to come. It’s a wonderful atmosphere and I thought the audiences were particularly thoughtful and responsive and the staff was very friendly and appreciative. It’s awesome that you give such generous prizes.”

“Great place to meet audience and fellow filmmakers. Best festival I've attended!”

“Heartland is the best festival experience I've had to date and it was an absolute honor to be selected.”

“The staff was very helpful, courteous and patient with our questions and requests. We enjoyed each of our interactions with them. The audience members were delightful, receptive, and insightful. We loved the Heartland experience!”

“Heartland promotes heavily and the local community is very engaged in the screenings. I really love seeing such full screenings and meeting so many Indy people and talking with them about my film.”

“It was really important to me to go to Heartland. I loved Heartland because it gave me the opportunity to talk to and connect with other filmmakers and I was able to meet amazing people and see incredible films as well. It was without a doubt the best festival experience I've had.”